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Comelec Cancels Duterte Youth Party-List Registration Over Compliance Issues
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Manila, philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) 2nd Division has officially canceled the registration of the Duterte Youth party-list, a group formally known as the Duty to Energize the Republic through the Enlightenment of the Youth Sectoral Party-list Organization. The decision, revealed on Wednesday, June 18, stems from a 2-1 vote within the division, effectively stripping the group of its rights and privileges as an accredited party-list organization.
Grounds for Cancellation
The cancellation is rooted in a 2019 case initiated by youth leaders, who contested that Duterte Youth did not genuinely represent the youth sector and failed to meet mandatory publication and public hearing requirements. The Comelec 2nd Division substantiated these claims,declaring the registration void from the beginning (ab initio) due to “non-compliance with the jurisdictional requirements of publication and hearing.” According to the decision, these regulations are crucial for ensuring public awareness of a party’s principles and nominees, preventing the electorate from being deprived of vital facts [Philippine Official gazette].
Did You Know? The Philippines has a party-list system designed to represent marginalized sectors in Congress.
Cardema’s Disqualification and its Impact
The Comelec division also cited the prior disqualification of Duterte Youth chairman,Ronald Cardema,as grounds for cancellation.Cardema was deemed ineligible to serve as a youth representative due to exceeding the age limit.The division stated that this misrepresentation in Cardema’s nomination was not merely a personal issue but reflected culpability on the part of Duterte Youth. The decision emphasized that Cardema’s nomination could not be viewed in isolation, as it was not made solely on his own accord.
Statements Advocating Violence
The decision further addressed statements made on Duterte Youth’s social media accounts, which petitioners argued advocated violence. One such statement included “… uubusin namin kayo sa lansangan kasama ang mga NPA comrades ‘nyo, mga rapists, kriminal, at terorista ng bansa (We will finish you off along with your New Peopel’s Army Comrades, rapists, criminals, and terrorists of this country).” The division concluded that these statements were not mere political rhetoric but explicit calls to violence and unlawful action, legitimizing violence as a means of governance and dissent suppression.
Pro Tip: Political parties are expected to adhere to ethical standards and refrain from promoting violence or unlawful behavior.
Possible Appeal and Future Implications
Comelec chairman George Garcia noted that Duterte Youth retains the option to file a motion for reconsideration, which would then be heard by the Comelec en banc.Duterte Youth was among the winning party-list groups in the 2025 midterm elections, securing three seats in the 20th Congress with 2.3 million votes. However, their proclamation, along with that of Bagong Henerasyon (BH) Party-list, was suspended due to pending cases before the Comelec [COMELEC].
Garcia also mentioned that it is premature to determine the impact on seat allocation for party-list groups in the 20th Congress, pending the resolution of any potential appeal by duterte Youth. Previously, Cardema attempted to block the confirmation of Comelec commissioners Noli Pipo and Maria Norina Casingal, accusing them of partiality and gross negligence due to their involvement in suspending his group’s proclamation.
Commissioner Rey Bulay dissented from the decision, while Commissioners Nelson Celis and Noli Pipo formed the majority.
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